2017 Maserati Levante Revealed: Looks Good, Sounds Good Review

2017 Maserati Levante Revealed: Looks Good, Sounds Good Review- Maserati specified its first-ever SUV, the Levante, after a warmer Mediterranean wind "that could transform from a light breeze to a tempting all-natural force in a split second." Now that warm wind has actually blown completely from Italy to the 2016 Geneva car program, where we're ultimately getting our initial in-person check out the Levante. Maserati additionally launched full product details, as well as we've increased our hopes after having a look at the specs.

Maserati's first-ever SUV originally was going to be based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the car manufacturer inevitably changed tack as well as opted to make use of the channel developed for the Quattroporte and also Ghibli sedans. Maserati states this platform was planned to accommodate SUVs all along-- and also flaunts that it allowed the designers to give the Levante a 50-50 weight distribution as well as the most affordable center of gravity in the segment. All Levantes will use on a control-arm suspension with the business's hallmark Skyhook dampers and also modifiable air springs, the last permitting the Levante to attain five various ride elevations, in addition to a separate level for car parking.

2017 Maserati Levante Revealed: Looks Good, Sounds Good Review

You can have your Levante powered by any sort of engine you want, as long as it's a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6. There will be no less compared to three from which to select, including 2 direct-injected fuel variations in 345- and 424-hp states of tune (with 369 and 428 lb-ft of torque) and one diesel 6 that churns out 271 horse power and also 443 lb-ft. All are mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic and included a mechanical limited-slip differential and Maserati's Q4 all-wheel-drive system, which right here provides torque vectoring. In typical driving, One Hundred Percent of the torque visits the rear wheels, yet when slip is discovered, as much as HALF can be directed to the front axle.

2017 Maserati Levante Revealed: Looks Good, Sounds Good estimates that zero-to-62-mph acceleration takes 5.2 secs with the 424-hp engine and also 6.0 seconds for the 345-hp system; the diesel is stated to hit 62 in 6.9 secs. No word on whether we will certainly get all 3 of those engines in the United States-- we're uncertain concerning the diesel's possibilities specifically. We can claim based upon the revving appears the Levante made at the press seminar that the higher-horsepower version certainly seems great.

2017 Maserati Levante Revealed: Looks Good, Sounds Good Review

While there is still a trace of parts-sharing with various other FCA autos inside-- specifically the interior switchgear-- the cabin general appearances very well like a Maserati thanks to the generous application of timber and leather as well as a new infotainment system controlled by a rotary dial on the center console. Its inside will certainly be highly adjustable, also, with around 28 various shade mixes, a Sporting activity bundle (that brings sporting activity seats in addition to sporty outside trim as well as 20-inch wheels), a High-end package (with a bit much more glitz outside, 19-inch wheels, timber interior trim, and more), as well as for the truly spendy, a full-leather bundle and also a Zegna Version that cushions parts of the inside in Ermenegildo Zegna silk. An eight-speaker stereo is conventional, although buyers could upgrade to a 14-speaker, 900-watt system by Harman/Kardon or a 17-speaker, 1280-watt Bowers & Wilkins system.

If the Levante looks acquainted, that's because it has actually remained really true to the Kubang principle Maserati initially showed at the 2011 Frankfurt car show. (There likewise was a various Kubang SUV idea from 2003.) The layout has actually grown ever since, including a stronger chin as well as nice detailing in the lamps, fascias, or even the back looter. The Levante has an automatically shutting grille shutter, a very first for Maserati, aiding it accomplish just what Maserati states is a low-for-an-SUV 0.31 coefficient of drag.

The Levante shows up in the United States this September, with pricing coming closer to that time. We ought to get our first taste of the Levante soon, as well as we anticipate seeing if the promise holds up from behind the wheel.